It looks like Priceline has a 6 night deal at the Holiday Inn in Keystone with flight out of Nashville for about $1650. It wants you to create an account and sign in to see details. There are some cheaper options that appear to have reasonably decent places to stay, such as a Clarion Inn in Rapid City.
The problem is this doesn’t include the car, which would add another grand, if you can find a car.
I can probably pick you up from that airport and take you back, depending on the dates, and take you a couple of places to see some sites, but I am not sure how much of the same things we are going to want to see. Maybe you can find a local rent-a-wreck type place to rent something from. But I guess you have to ask yourself how much you want to spend if you don’t think you will be in a condition to enjoy yourself.
I am not sure that many Freepers are showing up to this to make it worth spending a lot of money on, frankly.
I happen to be in position where I have time off to burn through, points to cash in on room rentals that are going to expire soon anyway, a car I haven’t had to drive much in the last year, and someone to split costs and driving with.
I have the time off, and was planning on driving there next weekend, enjoying the sight-seeing for a few days before the meetup.
If I can get the sleep situation under control, I’m all set - I have my rooms all booked for the drive there, and I’ve got the driving divvied up for 2 fairly long days and 1 half day each direction.
The problem with flying is, as you mentioned, a vehicle, but also the limit to what I can bring with me. My initial plan was to get a room with a small kitchen so I could do breakfast first thing before venturing out. I have a fairly large amount of camera gear that I want to bring, and I don’t really trust the luggage handlers to not bang things around as much as they possibly can.
I’m also not fond at all of flying since 9/11 when they got all strict on us innocent Americans instead of just deporting all the raggedy people and nuking Mecca like they should have done.
I’ve a few more days to make the decision. I will look at that Priceline deal, but it’s not really how I wanted to travel.
Yikes - just looked at car rental for 8 days - $2612 and that’s the cheapest. I think that given the freedom of movement that I desire, driving my truck there is the best way.
I do appreciate the offer for pickup/drop off service though. I’m going to push myself to get rested and get my sleep times in order.
I’m still planning to be there, though I decided to do without a rental car. I love capitalism, but in this case the car rental companies have exceeded my “greedy capitalist” threshold. If you or someone else can help with transportation, I will share my enormous savings towards great food and beverages.